The Benefits of Whole Fruiting Body Mushrooms for Your Dog

As an educated pet parent with an interest in natural health, you may have heard of functional mushrooms and their many benefits for your furry bestie. These mushrooms are known for their immune-boosting properties, anti-inflammatory effects, and more. But did you know that not all functional mushrooms are created equal?

In fact, mushrooms that are grown outdoors as whole fruiting bodies using sustainable, traditional methods are far superior to those grown indoors on rice and oats. In this post, we'll explore why this is the case and why you should consider giving your dog whole fruiting body mushrooms.

First, let's talk about what we mean by "whole fruiting body" mushrooms. This refers to mushrooms that are grown and harvested as they naturally appear in the wild. This means that the entire mushroom, including the cap, stem, and mycelium, is used for consumption. In contrast, some manufacturers use only the mycelium, which is the root-like part of the mushroom that grows underground, to produce their supplements. Mycelium-based supplements can be cheaper to produce, but they lack many of the beneficial compounds found in the whole mushroom.

Now, let's look at how whole fruiting body mushrooms are grown. There are two main methods: indoor cultivation and naturally grown outdoors. Indoor cultivation involves growing mushrooms on a substrate such as rice or oats in a controlled environment. This method allows for consistent yields and can be done year-round. Outdoor cultivation, on the other hand, involves growing mushrooms with traditional mediums including wood and fallen logs. Using a wood substrate for growing mushrooms is a natural method that closely resembles their wild environment. This ensures the mushroom receives the right nourishment to produce a fruiting body with the essential polysaccharides to support your dog's health. 

So, why are whole fruiting body mushrooms better for your dog? For starters, they contain a wider range of beneficial compounds than mycelium-based supplements. The mycelium of the mushroom is only one part of the whole fruiting body, and many of the compounds that are beneficial for your dog's health are found in the cap and stem. Additionally, whole fruiting body mushrooms are more likely to be sustainably and responsibly grown. When mushrooms are grown indoors, they require a significant amount of resources, including energy, water, and substrate. In contrast, outdoor traditional growing, mushrooms are grown the way nature intended.

In conclusion, if you're looking to give your dog the benefits of functional mushrooms, whole fruiting body mushrooms grown outdoors in their traditional environment are the way to go. They offer a wider range of beneficial compounds, are more sustainably and responsibly grown, and are less likely to contain contaminants or toxins.